Our Shepherd

1 Peter 2:21-25 (NLT)
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.


In the beginning of 1 Peter 2, the Apostle Peter tells those of the church to put aside their evil behavior. He continues on in verse 21 to say we should do what is right even if we suffer to do so for Christ suffered on our behalf to do what was right. Christ never deceived, never retaliated, and never sought revenge. He left the determination of what would happen in the hands of God the Father. Christ was wounded so we might be healed from sin. He became our Shepherd to lead us from our nature desire to wander away from what is right, good, just and holy.

A bible course professor asked a football player named Steve, if he would be willing to do 30 sets of 10 pushups for an experiment the next day. The football player said he had done 200 pushups in a row, so he thought could do that. The next day the professor came to class with donuts, which excited the students being that it was Friday and the last class of the day. It seemed they were getting a break today. The professor asked the first boy, “Would you like a donut?” The boy said yes and the professor turned to Steve and said, “Steve would you do 10 pushups so Mike can have a donut.” Steve proceeded to do 10 pushups and Mike received his donut. The professor continued to do this for each student until he reached another athlete who said, “I can do my own pushups.” The professor responded, “No, Steve has to do them for you.” The student replied, “Then I don’t want a donut.” “Very well said the professor, Steve would you do 10 pushups so Bob can have a donut available even though he doesn’t want it.” Struggling Steve managed another set of 10 pushups. It was apparent Steve was physically getting exhausted. Even though Bob protested the professor placed the donut in front of him and said it was there if he wanted it. Seeing Steve’s exhaustion the rest of the class proceeded to decline the donut; but again the professor would ask Steve to do the pushups and place the donut on the student’s desk in case they changed their mind. Five other students had come into the class and were observing what was taking place. The professor asked, “Steve there are 5 others here who are not members of this class; would you be willing to do pushups for them as well?” Steve replied, “Do I have to touch my nose all the way to the floor?” The professor replied, “Steve they are your pushups you do what you need to do.” Again asking the next person if they wanted a donut they declined and the professor asked Steve again for his 10 pushups. Sweat was pooling under Steve and he was barely able to push up from the floor. Everyone kept saying how unfair this was, but the professor said this was something Steve must do on his own. As with the others, the last student declined, Steve did his final 10 pushups and then collapsed to the floor. Students rushed to help pick him up and then turned to the professor to ask what this was all about. The professor said, “You see Steve is the only one with a perfect grade this semester. He is the only one who has been faithful to attend every class and follow every assignment. There was no one else worthy as Steve so I chose him to take on the responsibility for everyone else. Keep this in mind when you think about Christ for He was the only one who could take on the responsibility to pay our debt for sin and He paid a dear cost for it.” Without complaint Christ died for us. He is our Shepherd showing us how we should live.